The $150,000 Rick Violette Stakes is a 1 1/16-mile turf route for New York-bred 3-year-olds, honoring the late trainer Rick Violette, a champion of aftercare and horsemen’s rights. This year’s edition features six contenders with diverse running styles, pedigrees, and stakes experience.
Horse-by-Horse Breakdown
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Pedigree | Notes |
| 1 | River of Time | Junior Alvarado | Chad Summers | Fog of War – Passage of Time | Stakes-placed gelding with tactical speed; 2nd in NYSS Spectacular Bid |
| 2 | Sounds Like a Plan | Ricardo Santana Jr. | Horacio De Paz | Twirling Candy – Court Dress | Blinkers on; needs rebound after fading in last allowance |
| 3 | I’m Due | Dylan Davis | Kent Sweezey | War Dancer – Candelabra | Consistent stakes performer; 3rd in Spectacular Bid; late kick potential |
| 4 | Outsource | John Velazquez | Tom Morley | Honor A. P. – Trade Agreement | Recent allowance winner over Leon Blue; improving form |
| 5 | Leon Blue | Christopher Elliott | Melanie Giddings | Mo Town – Alana’s Allure | Stakes debut; narrowly beaten last out; versatile running style |
| 6 | Smooth Breeze | Flavien Prat | Jorge Abreu | More Than Ready – Breezy Gal | Top turf pedigree; allowance winner; strong closing ability |
Pedigree Insights
Smooth Breeze (More Than Ready x Breezy Gal): Proven turf sire; dam adds stamina and class.
Leon Blue (Mo Town x Alana’s Allure): Speed and stretch-out potential; dam by Shackleford.
Outsource (Honor A. P. x Trade Agreement): Late-developing pedigree with route upside.
River of Time (Fog of War x Passage of Time): Turf-oriented bloodlines with stakes seasoning.
Trainer & Jockey Synergy
Jorge Abreu & Flavien Prat: Reunite after a dominant turf win; Prat excels with closers.
Tom Morley & John Velazquez: Veteran combo with tactical precision.
Chad Summers & Junior Alvarado: River of Time has hit the board in 4 of last 5 starts.
Top Pick: Smooth Breeze – elite turf pedigree, strong recent form, and top jockey.
Value Play: Outsource – improving speed figures and proven at distance.
Longshot Watch: Leon Blue – lightly raced with upside and versatile style.
